Stepladder stool



Oct. 11, 1927. E. L. REED STEP L ADDER STOOL Filed March 19, 1926 M ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

EVAN L. REED, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEPLADDER STOOL.

Application filed March 19, 1926. Serial No. 95,877.

in the provision of a simple locking means,'

which will function automatically upon the parts of the stool being unfolded, and which will hold the same positively against accidental closing when the device is in use.

Another feature of the invention consists in the possibility of folding the stepladder stool into a compact space for storage, when not in use, which is a desirable character stic of stools of this type.

The above named and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood 'from the following speci fication, taken in connection with the acco1n panying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 shows the invention in side elevation, as it appears when in use.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the device in folded position. I

Fig. 3 is a view thereof showing the device partially opened, with the bar 11 partly broken away.

The reference number 1 indicates a broadened step, which may be utilized as a seat, and provided with plates 2 on its lower face, to the forward ends of which are hinged the side pieces of a ladder frame 3, by means of hinge-plates 4 pivoted to the plates 2, as at a, only one of said plates and side-pieces being shown in the drawings. A supporting frame 5 has a hinged connection with the rear ends of the plates 2, by a pivotal connection of the side pieces of said frame.

with the plates, as at Z). This is a common construction of these devices, and the frame 3 is provided with one or more narrow steps in the usual manner.

lVhen the stool is opened the amount of spread of the step frame 3 and the supporting frame 5 is limited by a pair of braces 6, one on each side of the stool, said braces being each formed of a relatively long section pivoted at one end to a leg of the frame 5 as at 0, and a short piece 7 fixed to the side piece of the frame 3, and having a pivotal union with the longer piece 6. The length of the section 6 is substantially the same as that of the plate 2 between the'pivotal points at the ends thereof, and when the seat 1 is turned downwardly upon the pivotal point a the frames 3' and 5 will collapse and the brace 6 fold toward the frame 3, until the frame 5 is positioned between the parts 7, as shown in Fig. 2.

When in anopen position the parts 6 and 7 are in practically a straight line, with a tendency to interfere with the closing of the stool, to provideagainst which a ,bar 8 is pro v'ided, connecting the plate 2 with the brace section 6, and pivoted to each thereof. As m soon as the folding operation begins the bar 8 tends to move the brace section 6 upwardly, breaking the joint between said brace section 6 and the part 7. When the stool is opened this action is-reversed, the brace belng automatically opened by the bar 8, and held rigidly in unfolded position, such as is shown in Fig. 1. When in this position there is little danger of the stool collapsing while inuse, but as a further safeguard the pivot pin 9 of the bar 8 is extended for operation in a slot 10 in a bar 11, pivoted to one of the side pieces of the frame 5, as at e. In the folding and unfolding of the stool the pin 9, which is provided with a suitable head, moves longitudinally of the slot, in one direction or the other. When the stool is fully opened the pin is in the lower end of the slot, as in Fig. 1, and this end of the slot is provided with a notch 12, which engages the pin, and holds the bar 11 from accidental release. In order to again fold the stool the slot end of the bar 11 is raised sufficiently to disengage the notch and pin, whereupon the pin can again move upwardly in the slot, in the folding operation.

The brace formation'shown on one. side of the stool in the drawings is duplicated on the opposite side thereof, and two of the bars 11 may be employed therewith, if desired, but the use thereof on one side of the stool is found to be sufficient. It will also be evident that the upper ends of the bars 8 can be attached directly to the seat 1, instead of to the intermediate plates 2, with the same result as above mentioned.

' Vhen the stool is fully open the pivotal point a and joint of the brace 6 are in substantial vertical alignment, and this is true of the pivots Z) and c. The bar 8 is also in a vertical position, and in parallel relation with lines passing vertically through said pivotal points. This assists quite materially in bringing about a complete folding of the frame parts of the stool.

hen it is desired to open the stool the rear edge of the seat 1 is grasped by the hand of the operator in the action of lifting the stool from the floor, which results in the antomatic unfolding of the leg frames and braces, and engagement of the pin 9 with the notch 12. To return the stool to a folded position the bar 11 is lifted with one hand and the forward edge of the seat with the other, the rear edge of the seat dropping downwardly, and the legs and braces fold-- ing together, as before. In this operation the bar 11 folds into position along th'e'side of the frame 5. The stool can then be stored in closet, beneath a sink; or in other out of to the step frame, said sections being pivot ally connected at a point vertically in line with the pivot of said step frame.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a seat member, a step frame pivotal-ly connected therewith near its forward edge, a leg frame pivotally connected with said seat member near its rear edge, folding brace uniting said leg frame and step frame in a line parallel with the seat member, when open, said brace having a pivotal connection with the leg frame at a point immediately beneath the pivot of said leg frame, and the joint of said brace being ininicdiately beneath the pivot of said step frame, and a bar pivotally connected with. the seat member at a point midway the front and'rear pivots thereof, and pivotal]; connected with said brace at a point midway the joint ther-eof'and the pivotal connection thereof with said leg frame. I

8. In a device of the class described, a seat member, a step frame pivotally connected therewith near its forward edge, a leg frame pivotally connected with said seat member near its rear edge, a folding brace mechanisn'i connecting the step frame, leg frame, and seat member, and a locking member pivoted to the leg frame and havinga SlldtlbltiCOib nection with said foldingbrace mechanism.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' EVAN L. REED. 

